54 8 "JIMMY BLUDSO." 



ners and dialect. The tale is supposed to be told in 

 reply to a query as to " What had become of Jim. 9 



"Wall no! I can't tell whar he lives, 



Becase he don't live you see ; 

 Leastways, he's got out of the habit 



Of livin' like you and me. 

 Whar have you been for the last three year 



That you haven't heard folks tell 

 How Jimmy Bludso passed his checks, 



The night of the Prairie Belle?" 



(The ballad then goes on to describe the reckless 

 character which its hero bore upon the river, during 

 life, and thus proceeds.) 



"All boats has their day on the Mississip, 



And her day come at last. 

 The Movastar was a better boat, 



But the Belle she wouldn't be passed: 

 And so she come tearin' along that night 



The oldest craft on the line 

 With a nigger squat on her safety valve, 



And her furnace crammed rosin and pine. 



"The fire bust out as she clared the bar 



And burnt a hole in the night 

 And quick as a flash, she turned and made 



For that wilier-bank on the right. 

 There was runnin' and cursin', but Jim yelled out,. 



Over all the infernal roar, 

 'I'll hold her nozzle agin the bank, 



Till the last galoot's ashore.' 



" Through the hot, black breath of the burnin' boat 



Jim Bludso's voice was heard, 

 And they all had trust in his cussedness, 

 And knowed he would keep his word. 



